Israel’s Netanyahu sends mixed messages on hostage deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Wall Street Journal he continues to reject as hostage deal that would include ending the war in Gaza.
TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never misses an opportunity to pour cold water on reports of progress in negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
It happened again last week, when he told the Wall Street Journal that he continues to reject Hamas' main condition for releasing the abductees: Israel declaring the war in Gaza over. “I’m not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas,” he said. “We’re not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It’s not going to happen.”
Nonetheless, Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that he could cautiously say “some progress” had been made in the latest round of mediated talks with Hamas being held in Doha.
Netanyahu’s declarations puzzle Israelis
